Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

The wirehaired pointing griffon is a dog breed, usually used for all sporting purposes, especially hunting. They are also known as wirehaired pointers. This particular breed was developed between 1870 and 1873, by a Dutch breeder Eduard Karel Korthals by mixing German griffons with spaniels, barbets, and setters along with French and German pointers. The result of this breeding program gave birth to an excellent breed of dogs which posses an exceptional fine sense of smell, especially for games like quail and hare. Wirehaired pointers are of 3 types namely French wirehaired pointers, German wirehaired pointers and American wirehaired pointers.

Wirehaired pointing griffons are medium sized hunting dogs with rough, harsh and wiry coats. The dogs coat protects it from dense brush. These dogs are usually chestnut brown, silver, steel gray and white and brown in colour. Wirehaired pointers have long heads, soft thick bushy eyebrows, square muzzle, a beard and moustache. Wirehaired pointing griffons normally have a brown nose and elliptical eyes which are either brown or yellow. They have a long neck, without a dewlap and the length of the skull is the same from stop to occiput, as from nose to stop. One of the special features of this dog is that they have flat ears close to their heads which gives them sharp hearing ability.

Wirehaired pointing griffons are skilled field dogs; they are also loving and very energetic. They are excellent trackers and hunting companions as they generally tend to stay in a hunter’s gun range and point and retrieve with a remarkable style. This style is good especially for the hunters on foot. The breed works in marshy lands and is also a fine water retriever. Wirehaired pointing griffons love the water and totally enjoy playing in it. They are excellent swimmers too. Wirehaired pointing griffons are intelligent and friendly. They make excellent pets being affectionate and gentle. They can be trained without much difficulty. Some wirehaired pointers can be rather aggressive and nervous with strange and unfamiliar situations. These dogs do not get very excited when they aren’t around in the field and this is what makes them very comfortable dogs at home. Wirehaired pointers are extremely eager to please. These dogs however have to be mentally stimulated, exercised and socialized in order to keep them happy and calm. They need to be taken out at least once every day for brisk and long walks. An improper routine may lead the dog to become very friendly or too ferocious. However they make excellent watch dogs.

Wirehaired pointing griffons can reach up to a height 20-24 inches and weight of 23-27 kilograms. Their life expectancy is about 10-12 years. The living condition of these animals plays an important role in overall development factor. A balanced environment along with proper living conditions is the key ingredient for a healthy dog. A big backyard or a large compound will keep the dog fit and healthy as wirehaired pointers are more of outdoor dogs and are moderately active indoors. They also prefer cool climates. Wirehaired pointers if allowed to get bored then tend to get frustrated and may display several behavioural problems.